Graduate Employability & Student Engagement Coordinator Review

Item: Graduate Employability & Student Engagement Coordinator at Manchester Metropolitan University
Rating: 4.9
Author: Anonymous

at Manchester Metropolitan University

Internship (1 Month+)

Advertising, Digital Marketing, Marketing, PR and Communications, Social Media Marketing

Manchester

Review Submitted: November 2026

Overall Rating

4.9 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

5/5 - Overview of Role

4.8/5 - Skills Development

5/5 - Support and Guidance

5/5 - Company Culture

4.5/5 - Overall Experience

5/5 - Future Career Prospects

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.

The Graduate Employability & Student Engagement Coordinator role focuses on supporting students to engage with careers and employability opportunities while helping to enhance their overall university experience. The position sits within the Careers & Employability Service and involves working closely with students, graduates and university colleagues to promote career development activities and services. On a day-to-day basis, the role involves engaging with students through events, resources and career activities , providing information and signposting them to relevant support and opportunities. It also includes helping to plan, promote and deliver careers events, workshops and engagement campaigns, encouraging participation from students across all faculties and backgrounds. Another key aspect of the role is communications and content creation, including developing student-facing content for digital platforms, promoting activities through social media and other communication channels, and ensuring information is accessible and engaging. The role also involves gathering feedback and insights from students, particularly international students, analysing findings and helping to identify ways to improve careers support and engagement. In addition, the coordinator contributes to research and project work, collaborates with colleagues across the university, supports service-wide priorities and helps develop resources that improve student outcomes. Overall, the role combines student engagement, event coordination, communications, research and teamwork to help students make informed career decisions and maximise their employability.

Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?

Yes, I was given a good level of responsibility during my placement. Alongside my regular duties, I was trusted to work independently on a range of tasks, manage my own workload and contribute ideas to improve processes and student engagement. I regularly communicated with students and staff, helped organise and support events, and created content and resources to promote opportunities and services. I was also responsible for gathering feedback and insights, analysing information and presenting findings to colleagues where appropriate. This required strong organisation, communication and problem-solving skills, as I often had to balance multiple priorities and ensure tasks were completed to a high standard. Being given these responsibilities helped me develop confidence, work more proactively and gain valuable experience in a professional environment. It also taught me the importance of taking initiative, working collaboratively and delivering a positive experience for students and stakeholders.

Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was

5/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?

Yes, I developed a range of both new and existing skills during my placement/internship. One of the biggest areas of development was my communication and interpersonal skills, as I regularly worked with a variety of people and learned how to adapt my communication style to different audiences. I delivered a session to a very large group which was a first time experience and I loved it. I also improved my organisational and time management skills by balancing multiple tasks and deadlines, prioritising work effectively and ensuring projects were completed on time. Through supporting events and engagement activities, I gained experience in planning, coordination and problem-solving, often having to think quickly and respond to changing situations. In addition, I strengthened my digital skills through using Microsoft Office and online platforms to create content, communicate information and manage projects. I also developed my research and analytical skills by learning to use Power BI, gathering feedback, identifying key themes and presenting findings in a clear and meaningful way. Overall, the experience increased my confidence, professionalism and ability to work both independently and as part of a team. It gave me valuable practical experience and helped me better understand how to contribute effectively in a professional environment.

How would you rate the training provided during your experience?

4/5

How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?

5/5

How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?

5/5

Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development

5/5

Support and Guidance

How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?

I received a great deal of support and guidance throughout my placement, particularly from my manager and the rest of my team. From the beginning, they were approachable, encouraging and always willing to answer questions or provide advice when I needed it. My manager held regular check-ins with me, offering feedback on my work, helping me set goals and providing opportunities to take on new responsibilities. At the same time, I was given enough independence to develop my confidence and learn from my own experiences. The wider team was also very supportive and collaborative. Everyone was happy to share their knowledge and expertise, which helped me understand different aspects of the organisation and develop my skills more quickly. As a result, I felt well-supported throughout the placement while still being challenged to grow professionally and take initiative in my role.

How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?

5/5

How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?

5/5

Company Culture

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?

The company culture was very positive, supportive and welcoming. From the start, I felt like a valued member of the team rather than just an intern, and everyone was approachable and willing to help whenever I had questions or needed guidance. The general atmosphere was collaborative and friendly, with colleagues regularly sharing knowledge, ideas and feedback. There was a strong emphasis on teamwork, and people worked together to achieve common goals while supporting each other's development. I particularly appreciated the encouragement I received from my manager and team, who created an environment where I felt comfortable contributing ideas, taking on new responsibilities and learning from my experiences. The culture promoted both professional growth and open communication, which helped me build confidence and develop my skills throughout the placement. Overall, it was a supportive and inclusive environment where I felt respected, motivated and encouraged to do my best work.

How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?

5/5

How would you rate the social opportunities?

5/5

How would you rate the diversity initiatives?

5/5

How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?

5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?

I really enjoyed my internship and found it to be a valuable and rewarding experience. It gave me the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I had developed during my studies in a professional environment while also learning a great deal from experienced colleagues. One of the aspects I enjoyed most was being trusted with meaningful responsibilities and having the chance to contribute to real projects and activities. I appreciated the variety of work, as no two days were exactly the same, which kept the role interesting and helped me develop a wide range of skills. I also enjoyed working with such a supportive team. My manager and colleagues were always willing to offer guidance and feedback, which helped me build confidence and grow professionally. The positive and collaborative atmosphere made it easy to ask questions, contribute ideas and feel like a valued member of the team. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the placement and would say it exceeded my expectations. It strengthened my skills, increased my confidence and gave me a clearer understanding of the type of career I would like to pursue in the future.

Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship

5/5

Please rate how your experience met your expectations

4/5

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Manchester Metropolitan University to a friend?

Yes

What advice would you give to others applying to Manchester Metropolitan University

My advice to others applying to Manchester Metropolitan University would be to make the most of every opportunity available to you. Get involved in activities outside of your course, such as societies, volunteering, part-time work, student ambassador roles or internships, as these experiences can help you develop valuable skills, build your confidence and enhance your CV. I would also encourage students to engage with the Careers & Employability Service from an early stage rather than waiting until their final year. Attending careers events, workshops and networking opportunities can help you explore career options, gain industry insights and prepare for future applications. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Some of the most valuable experiences come from taking on challenges, meeting new people and getting involved in opportunities that you might not have initially considered. Finally, stay organised, ask for support when you need it and be proactive in seeking opportunities. Manchester Met offers a wide range of resources and support services, and those who make the most of them can gain a great deal from their university experience, both personally and professionally.